Wall or floor structure and securing means



Patented Nov. 30, 1937 WALL R FLO-0R STRUCTURE sEoUR- Y r ING vMEANS Le Roy B. B'achelder, Dayton, Ohio Application September 18, 1936, Serial No. 101,447

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a Wall or 'floor structure, and more particularly to a composite Wall or floor comprising assembled sections, and includes the herein described method and means for seeming and maintainingthe sections in position.

In the following description, the wall or floor sections are described as comprising non-nailable material such as stone, marble, composition structures, argillaceous material, or the like.

However, the method and means for fabricating a wall or oor structure is equally applicable to the other materials such, for example, as wood.

It is the general practice in fabricating Walls or floor structures of marble, large tile, or the like, to provide a suitable backing such as wood `lath or sheeting, apply plaster or mortar to the backing, and then set the marble or tile in the plaster or mortar which acts to some degree as a holding means. In fabricating a wall or floor of marble, or large tile, the blocks or slabs are additionally secured to the backing by means of Wires secured in drilled or formed holes in the blocks or slabs and then to the backing. Such procedure has f required the services of skilled workmen, and has thus substantially increased the cost of installation. Additionally, the means heretofore used for securing the blocks or slabs to the backing has not been suiiiciently positive to prevent the blocks or slabs from becoming loosened from the backing, particularly where the position of the backing shifts slightly due to building settling or changes in weather conditions.

One object of this invention is to provide a Wall 5. or iioor structure which is simple and inexpensive to install and is so secured to the backing that it will be permanent regardless of changes y in the position of the backing due to the building settling or weather conditions, together with a method and means for fabricating such wall orV floor structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall or oor structure which can be installed by unskilled workmen.

4 y, Still another object of this invention is to pro-V vide a Wall or iloor structure held in place by positive securing means and `wherein the securing means does not show at the outer face of the wall or oor structure.

,-,n A further object of this invention is to provide a wall or oor structure and securing means therefor which will lend itself to easy removal of the Wall structure when such removal is desired.

A still further object of this invention is to prof' vide a wall or oor structure which maybe fabricated without the use lof part ofthe backing.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a Waller oor structure which when fabricated will be waterproof. Y 55- With the above primary rvand other incidental .objects inA vi'ew, as will more fully appearinthe plaster or' mo'r'tar as a specification, the invention consists of the-features of construction, the parts and combination thereof, andthev mode of assembly, or their equiv- 1:0*V

alents, as hereinafter described and set forth 'in the claims.

AReferring t the accompanying drawing', wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the 15 invention,

Fig. 1 is'a perspective view showing aplurality of 'slabs or blocks constructed in accordance with the idea'disclos'ed by this invention; :andrin the relative positions which vthey wouldY occupy fin 20j the fabrication 'of "a wall or oor structure.

Fig. 2 is an'enlarged detail view-showing the meansand the method of securinga blocker slabto a suitablebacking.

Fig. 3`is a perspective view ofthe rearward or 25 back side of Vafslab or block which is disposed against Vthe-backing when the wall or flo'or structurels assembled.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarydetailed view illustratingthe use of mortar or between the blocks or slabs.

Fig; v5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a corner "block, vvainscotingA and 'iloorv assembly.

Fig. 6 "is a sectional view vshovving a wainscot- 35Y ing' and cap mold assembly.

i Fig. '7 is'a side elevation `of a modified form of securing means for the blocks or slabs to a backmg.

Figi 8 is a perspective view Vof Ythe preferred 46 formof means-for `se'curingthe blocks or slabs to abacking. y

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12'are views Vshowing various modi'c'ati'ns of the" n'leans for securing blocks or slabs'to a backing. 'I

Like parts are indicated vby ,similar characters ofre'ference throughoutlthe 'several views; Y

Referring to the drawing, and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown a plurality of blocks or slabs l which may be of marble, synthetic marble, i

tile, or the like, constructed'in accordance with the idea disclosed by this invention 'andassem bled together. as they would normally be to form` a' wall orfloor structure. Each slab or'block lA is provided with a groove 2 onitsmarginal sur# 55? OFFICE j plaster at'the j oint 30:

faces, that is, along the length and width of each block, and the blocks are shown as being disposed in what is known as broken joint, or ashler relation, although any preferred arrangement may be used.

A fastening device for holding the blocks in position preferably takes the form of an enlarged head nail which includes a stem or shank portion 3 adapted to be driven into sheathing 4 or studding 5, Fig. 5, and also includes a head portion 6 which is shaped to be complemental to the groove 2 in the marginal surfaces of each block I. As shown in Fig. 3, the head portion 6 Aof the fastening device, is elongated and extends a substantial distance along the groove 2, the purpose of this elongated head being to provide a greater area of gripping action between the head portion 6 of the fastening device and the block.

Referring to Figs. 7, 9, and 10 it will be seen that the head portion I of the fastening device may take various forms, for example, a ball-like shape as shown in Figs. 7 and 9, or a relatively sharp angular shape as is shown in Fig. l0. In the use of a fastening means having a head shaped as in Fig. l0, it will be understood that the groove 2 in the marginal surfaces of each block I is shaped so that the head of the fastening device and the groove will be complemental.

In the method of assembling a wall or floor structure in accordance with this invention, and with the use of the fastening means herein disclosed, a sheathing 4 of any desired thickness is preferably applied to studding 5 to, provide a backing for the slabs or blocks I, although studding may be arranged to correspond to the position of the block or slab assembly joints if desired. Next, a slab or block is properly positioned against the backing and a fastening device is driven into the backing at an angle to the plane of the front and back sides of the slab or block, and in such manner that a portion of the stem or shank 3 of the fastening device will lie within the area defined by the slab or block. Such fastening device is driven into the backing until the head portion 6 thereof is in substantial alignment with the groove 2 in the marginal surface of the block, and the stem or shank of the fastening device is then bent as illustrated in Figs..2 and 5 until the head 6 of the fastening device enters the groove 2, thus serving to hold the block or slab I in position against the backing. vAs many of these fastening devices may be used as desired, and at as many sides of the slab or block I as foundnecessary. i

Following the securing of the firstY block or slab I to the backing in the manner'just described, another block or slab is placed against the backing in edge to edge relation with the first block. If desired, plaster or mortar 1 maybe wiped into the groove 2 of the blocks. 'Ihe second block or slab I is then moved toward the first block or slab which has been attached to the backing until the remainder of the head 6 of the fastening device disposed in groove 2 of the rst block or slab enters the groove 2 of the second block or slab, Athe second block being then further secured to the backing at its other marginal surfaces by the use of a desired number of fastening devices driven into the backing in the manner previously described. It is preferable that there be sufficient plaster or mortar wiped into the grooves 2 so that the plaster or mortar will be extruded by movement of two blocks into juxtaposition to thus provide a sealed joint between adjacent blocks or slabs.

By the use of the method of assembly and fas tening device as just described it will be apparent that no part of the fastening device will appear at the outer surface of the wall or floor structure. As shown in Fig. 3, the marginal surface between the grooves 2 of the blocks or slabs and the rearwardmost face of the blocks or slabs is cut away as at 8 to accommodate the stem or shank 3 of the fastening device whereby the blocks or slabs may be moved as closely adjacent one another as is possible while still providing a plaster or mortar joint between adjacent blocks or slabs. These cutout portions B may be formed in any desired manner such, for example, by chipping out small portions of the blocks or slabs or by forming the cut-out portions during the molding process where a molded block or slab is employed to make the wall or floor structure.

Referring to Fig. 6, a block or slab I is shown which is particularly adapted for use adjacent the point of jointure between the side walls, iioor and ceiling of a room wherein a wall or floor structure as herein disclosed is employed. It will be noted that the slab or blockV is mitered at the corners of theroom as indicated at Sto provide a horizontal portion I0 and a vertical portion II, and is arranged to eliminate any joint'between blocks directly at the room corners. After this particularly shaped block or slab I isvpositioned and rproperly secured by the fastening device as shown in Fig. 5, other blocks or slabsv I may be assembled in adjacent or abutting rela-V tion with the exposed marginal surfaces of such shaped block or slab to provide a wall or a iioor structure. V In Fig. 6 of the drawing, there is shown the combination of a wainscoting I2, a cap mold I3, and plaster I4, combined in va wall structure. The wainscoting I2 and cap mold I3 are secured to the backing by a fastening devicesuch Vas hereinbefore described.

Provision has been made for securing slabs or blocks to the backing which consists of, forexample, metal Vlath. Such a fastening device is shown in Fig. '7 wherein the stem or shank 3 of the fastening device is curved as at I5 to form av hook which may be engaged in the lath or backing with the head portion 6 of the fastening device ina position to rest in the grooves 2 of the slabs or blocks I. In Fig. 14 the stem or shank 3 ofthe fastening device takes the form of a screw, such fastening device being used in the same manner as the fastening device wherein the stein or shank takes the form of a smooth nail.

Referring to Fig. l2 a fastening deviceis shown which is particularly adapted to use at the marginal surface of a block or slab which-abuts a wall` at the corner of -a room. It will be noted that one side of this fastening device is made flat as at I, while the remainder of the head of the fastening device is of a convolution to be complemental tol the groove 2 in the blocks or slabs I. In the use of this type of fastening device, the fastening device is driven or secured to the backing with the flat side adjacent the wall perpendicular to that on which the blocks or slabs are being assembled with a block or slab being moved toward the perpendicular wall to receive the portion of the head complemental to the groove.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but

which obviously is susceptible of modification inits form, proportions, detail construction and ar-4 fzgiodigi rangement of parts without departing from the fprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advan- Within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. The method of assembling a Wall or floor structure, made up of slabs of material having recesses in their marginal faces intermediate the front and back planes of the slab, with a fastening means having a shank and a head complemental tothe recesses in the marginal faces of the slabs which comprises positioning a slab against a suitable backing, driving the shank of the fastening means into the backing until the head of the fastening means is in substantial alignment with a recess in the marginal face of the slab, and then bending the shank of the fastening means until a portion of the head thereof is disposed in the recess.

2. The method of assembling a Wall or floor structure, made up of slabs of material having recesses in their marginal faces intermediate the front and back planes of the slab, with a fastening means having a shank and a head complemental to the recesses in the marginal faces of the slabs which comprises positioning a slab against a suitable backing, driving the shank of the fastening means into the backing at an angle such that a portion of the shank thereof will ultimately lie Within the area defined by the slab and until the head of the fastening means is in substantial alignment with a recess in the marginal face of the slab, and then bending the shank of the fastening means until a portion of the head thereof is disposed in the recess.

3. The method of assembling a Wall or floor structure, made up of slabs of material having recesses in their marginal faces intermediate the front and back planes of the slab, with a fastening means having a shank and a head complemental to the recesses in the marginal faces of the slabs which comprises positioning a slab against a suitable backing, driving the shank of the fastening means into the backing until the head of the fastening means is in substantial alignment With a recess in the marginal face of the slab, and then bending the shank of the fastening means until a portion of the head thereof is disposed in the recess, placing another slab against the backing, and moving it into juxtaposition With the first mentioned slab and until the remainder of the head of the fastening means enters a recess in the marginal surface thereof coincident with the marginal surface of the first slab.

4. A Wall or floor structure comprising a backing and blocks adapted to be disposed in edge to edge relation on the backing, coincident recesses in the marginal surfaces of the blocks, and means for securing the assembled blocks to the backing including a fastening device engageable with the backing and having a head of a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the recesses in the marginal surfaces of the assembled blocks and engaging the recesses throughout their width transversely'of the blocks when disposed therein.l l

5, A wall or floor structure comprising a backing and blocks adapted to be assembled in edge to edge relation on the backing, coincident grooves in the marginal surfaces of the blocks, and means 'for securing a block to the backing including a fastening device engageable With the backing and havingY a headof a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the grooves in theY marginal surfaces of theblocks and Vengaging the recesses throughout their width transversely of the blocks when disposed therein.

6. A Wall or floor structure comprising a backing and a block adapted to be disposed on Vthe backing, a groove in the marginal surfaces of the block, andmeans for securing the block to the backing including a fastening-means engageable with the backing and having a head portion of a shape substantially corresponding to thecontour of the grooves in the marginal surfacesV of the block and engaging the recesses throughout their Width transversely of the blocks When disposed therein.

7. A Wall or floor structure comprising a backing and blocks adapted to be assembled on the backing, grooves in the marginal surfaces of the blocks, and means for securing the blocks to the backing including a fastening means having a shank engageable with the backing and an elongated head portion having a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the grooves in the marginal surfaces of the blocks and extending along the length of the grooves,rsaid head f portion being such as to engage the grooves throughout their Width transversely of the blocks when engaged therein. Y

8. The method of assembling a Wall or :door

structure'made up of individual blocks havingV grooves in their marginal surfaces and securing the blocks in assembled relation with a fastening device having a shank and a head portion complemental to the grooves in the blocks, which comprises positioning a block on a` suitable backing, driving the shank of the fastening device structure made up of individual blocks having V grooves in their marginal surfaces and securing the blocks in assembled relation with a fastening,V

device having a shank and a head portion complemental to the grooves in the blocks, which comprisespositioning a block on a suitable baok- Y ing, driving the shank of the fastening device into the backing at an angle to a plane perpendicular Y to the front and back surfaces ofthe block, and then bending the shank of the fastening device until the head portion thereof fits within the groove positioning another block beside the first block and moving it toward the first block until the head of the fastening device fits Within the groove of the second block as it does in th groove of the first block. Y

10. The method of assemblingY a wall or floor structure made upr of individual blocks having grooves in their marginal surfaces and securing the blocks in assembled relation with a fastening device having a shankV and a head portion complemental to the grooves in the blocks, which comprises positioning a block on a suitable backinto the backing at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the block, and then bending the shank of the fastening device until the head portion thereof ts Within the groove, positioning another block beside the first block, filling the grooves in the blocks With a mortar, and moving the second block toward the rst block until the head of the fastening device fits Within the groove ofthe second block as it does in the groove in the rst block, suicient mortar being extruded to completely ill any space between adjacent edges of the blocks.

11. A Wall or floor structure comprising a backing and a block adapted to be disposed on the backing, a groove in the marginal surface of the block, and means for securing the block to the backing including a 'fastening means having a shank engageable with the backing and a head portion integral therewithand of a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the groove in the marginal surface of the block and engaging the groove throughout the Width there-I of transversely of the block when engaged therein.

12. A wall or floor structure for a room wherein the walls and floor are disposed perpendicular to each other, comprising backings arranged to define the shape of the room, blocks adapted to be disposed on the backings to form the inner surface of the room, grooves in the marginal surfaces of the blocks and means for securing the blocks to the backings adjacent the point of jointureV of the perpendicular backings, including a fastening means having a shank engageable with a backing and a head portion shaped to correspond substantially to the contour of the' groove and to coincide with the surface of the adjacent perpendicular backing, said head portion being such as to engage the grooves throughout their Width transversely of the blocks when engaged therein.

LE ROY B. BACHELDER. 

